Proverbs 17

¹Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

²A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

³The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

⁴An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

⁵Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

⁶Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

⁷Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

⁸A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

¹⁰A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

¹¹An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

¹²Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

¹³Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.